The 9 Best Indoor Plants to Purify the Air at Home According to NASA

The air in our homes and offices is getting worse and worse. From paints to cleaning products, to the chemical compounds released by furniture and appliances, the air we breathe indoors is not as pure as many believe.

The ability of most plants to produce oxygen is well known, but few know that some of them are even capable of purifying the air at home, eliminating those volatile chemicals and toxins that end up being inhaled and are harmful to our health.

Plants are not only decorative elements, but they are also useful and important for our health. NASA has compiled a list of the most effective indoor plants to purify the air at home.

Areca
It is one of the best plants to purify the air at home. Its main characteristic is its ability to clean the air by eliminating formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
Water the areca regularly and place it in the light, but not in direct sunlight. Living rooms are undoubtedly the best spaces for this plant.

Aloe vera
It is capable of purifying the air and eliminating toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene, present in paints and floor cleaning products.
Place the aloe vera plant in a sunny corner and water it rarely.

Pothos
One of the most well-known and common plants to purify the air at home. One of its advantages is that it does not need much care, since it is rarely watered. For this reason, pothos is very common in homes and offices.
Pothos is capable of absorbing harmful substances such as formaldehyde, xylene and benzene.

Sansevieria
This plant produces oxygen during the night and purifies the air at home by eliminating benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
Sansevieria is one of the most resistant plants in the world, it needs little water and adapts well to spaces with little light.

Swedish Ivy
Widely used indoors, it can eliminate pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde and toluene. However, it is a toxic plant for children, dogs and cats, so it is important to place it out of their reach.
Place the plant in a lighted corner but away from direct sunlight. Water once a week.

Gerbera
It produces high levels of oxygen during the night and eliminates harmful substances such as benzene and trichloroethylene. It is beneficial for people who suffer from apnea and respiratory diseases.
The gerbera can be placed in the bedroom, but it needs direct light in summer, spring and autumn, and indirect light during the winter.

Philodendron
Well known and common, the philodendron can eliminate toxins and harmful compounds present in the air. The plant is not toxic to pets.
You can place the philodendron anywhere, and it is also very easy to propagate.

Ficus benjamina
It can absorb and reduce levels of formaldehyde, xylene and toluene. However, it is a delicate plant and does not like changes.
Place your ficus benjamina in a well-lit place but not exposed to direct sunlight and drafts.

Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum helps filter a large number of toxins, including ammonia and benzene, two compounds present in plastics, detergents and glues.
Chrysanthemum likes sunlight and should be watered whenever the soil is dry to the touch.